I recently caught up with local favorite Gran Torino to talk with them about the band’s second album, which is appropriately named Two.
According to members of the band, this album takes their musical style in a different direction.
“The sound, I would say, mixes a lot of modern elements such as the dance type thing and electronic music like drum machines and sequences and stuff like that to make it more of a radio-friendly dance club-friendly sound that makes it easier to market,” said Scott Pederson, who plays several instruments for the band including trumpet and trombone. “But other than that, it’s the same stuff just packaged a little differently.”
Chris Ford, lead vocalist for Gran Torino, agreed.
“Its a lot more progressive. The first one is to set up everything and play the tunes as is, and (Two) is a lot more produced,” Ford said.
The band’s distinctive style combines the big-band sounds of Benny Goodman with the jazz of Louis Armstrong while adding a rock flair to the mix.
Of those 11 tracks on the album, track three, “Moments With You,” sticks out as my favorite.
The second track, “Phyliss,” is a great song that makes you want to jump up and sing along.
The song also has true-to-life lyrics. One of my favorite excerpts from the song is, “But the truth is we rarely see over the walls of blame built up over years of hate and a history of shame.”
Another of my favorites from the album is also a song about life. Track six, “Are You Livin,” challenges the listener to look deeper at their life to see just what and how they are doing. The drumbeat in the song is relaxing while the trumpets give the song a wonderful pep.
My absolute favorite from the album would have to be track four, “Bound.”
The vocals by Ford on this track show that he has a classic rock voice with a definite jazz edge.
Gran Torino, comprised of Ford, Pederson, Pee Jay Alexander on trumpet, flugelhorn and trombone; Stephen Decker on guitars and vocals; Dave Heyer on drums and percussion; Dexter Murphy on trombone, organ, keys and vocals; Todd Overstreet on bass; Whit Pfohl on drums and percussion; and Jason Thompson on tenor and baritone saxophone and flute.
With its wide variety of musicians and instruments, the Gran Torino sound is complete and an unequivocal original.
The live show that Gran Torino puts on is something to be seen. The energy is high, as is the spirit. If you have never seen the group, I highly recommend you do because you will be in for an awesome treat.
All in all, the album was wonderful but it doesn’t measure up to the live performance.
The album almost seems too produced and has lost some of the energy found in the group’s live performances.
On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest, I would give Two an 8.
Using the same scale, I would give their live performance at The Casbah on Nov. 9 a 10 only because I can’t give an 11.

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